Wanderlust Walking

I have been trying to get as much walking in as possible.

I do believe that "Spring" is in the air, but I am a bit superstitious and don't want to say it too loud or too often in order that I jinx it from actually arriving.

This past week I have logged many steps, miles and kilo-meters in various weather conditions. 

Each time out ... venturing a bit further and hoping the trails would be clear of snow and ice!

The snow and ice piles are almost all melted from our lawns, so I am sure that with a few more days of mild temperatures and sunshine the trails will be welcoming many walkers and runners.

My wanderlust walking will take me to new places to explore!

A River Runs Through It...

#goat cheese and thyme toasts#TGIF#Maple Mustard Salmon recipe#A River Runs Through It#Gourdon

It seems we are just waiting in limbo for our next adventure ... but that is not a good thing because it is like wishing your life away!

Two years ago, we were already settled in our rented cottage in the medieval town of Gourdon and living the French life.

Last year, we were preparing to celebrate Easter with our children and grandchildren and getting as many hugs and snuggles from them before we departed on our 2013 adventure. 

Here we are ...  it is the first Friday of "Spring" and there are still left over signs of Winter.

After a slow start, we both were a bit more than tired today; we ventured out to do some grocery shopping.

It seems not much was accomplished this afternoon, I think Msr. Honey did catch a nap.

Late in the afternoon, after some coaxing by Msr. Honey...I ventured out into the sunshine for some exercise and clearing of the cobwebs in my head. 

My walking buddy is laid up for sometime, so I must keep myself motivated until she is able to join me!

Heal and get well soon, my friend!

It was the best thing I did for myself today ... a brisk three and a half kilo-meter walk, thinking about nothing and just enjoying the bright light of the sunshine and the azure blue sky with the water in the stream rushing by quickly.

My timing was perfect ... I returned as Msr. Honey was preparing his delicious appetizers ready to serve with a glass of wine to toast Friday night!

    Homemade toasts with goat cheese and thyme ... so yummy!

Then I was on as chef for dinner ... I prepared a new recipe that I adapted from one in today's advertisements and it was a great success.

For our dinner, I prepared "Maple Mustard Salmon" with Rice and Peas.

The recipe I prepared served the two of us. (Original recipe called for double of everything listed).

Ingredients:

227 grams salmon fillets (I used wild sockeye 2 portions)

1/8 cup  (30ml)  of butter 

1/8 cup (30 ml)  Maple Syrup

2 tsp. (10 ml) Dijon mustard smooth or grainy.

1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) low sodium soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F (220C), arrange salmon in 8 inch (20cm) baking dish.

2. Melt butter in microwave. 

    Stir in maple syrup, Dijon mustard and soy sauce. 

    Pour over salmon.

3. Bake until salmon flakes with a fork, about 12 minutes.

    Serve hot with extra sauce over the top.

Great with your favorite rice and vegetable side dishes.

* recipe called for Becel Buttery Taste Margarine which I replaced with butter.

If you are looking for something different and delicious ... give this a try!

TGIF and Happy Weekend to you all!

Prelude to Spring

#trailways#walking#hopingforspring

Life's routine is returning...after visits, sleepovers from all of our grandchildren during last week's March Break.

Today, I was able to get out and about for a good walk in the sunshine!

It has been a long time since I walked these paths, trails and the trestle bridge walkway into town.

You have heard enough about the long, harsh cold Southern Ontario winter ... today, there were some signs that Spring may be in the air. 

Birds were singing and flitting around the backyard gathering leaves and twigs to lay claim to one of our many bird houses which they call "Home"!

Although the local Lake is still frozen, the rivers and streams are flowing!

There were no ducks out on the lake, only one fisherman trying his luck at ice fishing.

How far did I go?

 I walked just under 8 kilometers today, not too bad after nearly a two week break from my daily walks.

Here is hoping the weather is turning and I'll soon be able to enjoy daily outings!

Green or White?

#whitesnow#avocado#seasons#recipeforappetizer#beaches

Mother Nature once again blew in another "white" winter storm yesterday with plenty of snow, blowing winds causing drifts and plunging temperatures.

Today, the sun did shine brightly cutting some of the bitterness from the chilling temperatures... But It was a far cry from sunbathing on a beach in a tropical location.

    The beach in Collioure, France

   The beach in Biarritz, France

    Cocoa Beach, Florida

It would be nice to see some "green" grass but it is still covered in "white" snow, and no green to be seen anywhere!

Sometimes food can transport you to a different season.

In the newspaper this week was a wonderful sounding recipe that I will try this weekend.

Nothing says "warmer" weather to me than avocado ... think eating guacamole in Mexico!

Avocado Toast with Chili Flakes *

4 slices rustic bread

1 large clove garlic, peeled

1 avocado, cut in slices or chunks

Fruity extra-virgin olive oil

Fine sea salt

Crushed red pepper flakes

Toast bread in toaster, under broiler or on barbecue.

Rub one side of each toast with garlic.

Arrange avocado on toast.

Drizzle with oil.

Sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes.

* Adam Rapoport, editor in chief Bon Appétit.

Winter Wonderland Again! Wordless Wednesday.

#winter#wordlesswednesday

Spring Forward!

#marchbreak#springforward#changingoftheclocks#mimosa-flowers#beinggrandma#tulipsandspringflowers#willwintereverend

                         

                             A mimosa blooming in Gourdon, France

Here in Canada we moved our clocks forward one hour last night.

Will the loss of one hours sleep be worth the extra hour of daylight?

Oh yes it will especially after our extremely long, harsh winter and the extra daylight will bring hope of Spring's arrival and the addition of colour to our white landscape!

                      

This week is also what is known as "March Break" ... a week long break from school for the children.

This Grandma is excited to be able to spend some quality time with some of her grandchildren. 

Three special young fellows are coming to spend a couple of days while their parents go to the work and later in the week a possible visit from the granddaughters...and on the last weekend the other two young grandsons may visit.

It will be a busy week for this Grandma.

So I am ready ... pantry and refrigerator stocked with some of their favourite foods, bedrooms ready, some new crayons, pencils and books purchased plus I have some outdoor activities planned. 

Maybe a walk through some of the trails and parks that we walked in the Summer to see what they look like in Winter.

And we will hope for some sunny days and milder temperatures to coax the beauties that lie beneath the snow to come out and play!

Happy Sunday everyone!

Bittersweet

#travel#feelings#Degagnac

What is bittersweet ...

Something with both sweet and bitter flavours in taste/ food such as chocolate or something that you feel that combines both sadness and happiness!

It is a term often used to describe your emotions when your journey or path in life takes you to new destinations or directions.

This is a feeling I am quite familiar with ... It originally happens for me whenever we are planning our travels, as  I have mixed feelings about leaving behind our children and our grandchildren for an extended period of time.

And then the feeling comes back again at the end of our adventure in foreign places when it is time to leave our "home away from home" and the new friends we have made during our travels and it is time to return to our family and loved ones! 

I feel sad and happy at the same time!

Why I am talking about this today... a dear friend is feeling both sad to leave behind her children and grandchildren in Belgium and she is also excited and happy to return to her "other home" in "la belle France".

As I think about my friend "mon amie" it stirs the bittersweet emotions within me as the plans for our next adventure fall into place.

I feel sadness and worry about leaving behind the kids and our darling grandchildren. 

Once I am on my way to the airport and then on the airplane, these feelings will subside and be overtaken by the excitement of travelling to unknown and new places!

Oh the wonders of travel, the opportunities to experience different lifestyles and cultures and to meet new people and make new friends and reunite with old friends!  

Shhh! Wordless Wednesday!

#wordlessWednesday#silentsunday

In the world of blogging, there is something called "Wordless Wednesday" and "Silent Sunday".

I am not sure how or where the term came from or how it all started.

From my research, I have learnt that on Wednesdays all over the internet, bloggers post a photograph with no words to explain it in their blog.

The idea is that the photo itself says so much that it doesn't need or require any description.

Perhaps, it was to help writers that may experience a block or a sudden drought in their creative thoughts when putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboards!

Every picture tells a story!

As time has gone on there have been modifications and variations to these so called "Wordless" and "Silent" days.

So I may use this with my blogs as I go forward, because I do believe "every picture tells a story".

When I am taking photos I look for those stories!